2015-2019
Wesley House, Cambridge: A Community Reimagined
A Rebuilt College, A Rekindled Vision
The redevelopment followed the sale of the historic Jesus Lane site to Jesus College, and resulted in purpose-built accommodation for up to 28 students and families. New facilities included an Academic Block with a library, archive, dining room, and teaching rooms, all aimed at fostering a reflective, inter-cultural Methodist community.
The reopening of the refurbished College site in 2016 marked not just the end of construction but the beginning of a new phase of institutional identity. State-of-the-art spaces provided the setting for a fresh articulation of Wesley House’s mission.
IOCS moved back into Wesley House in 2018, following the sale of their office in Chesterton.
"We have settled back onto the site and into our new buildings. A vision is emerging again of a College community with rhythm, structure and outward-facing energy."
Jane Leach, Principal’s Report 2016
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Academic Growth and Global Reach
These years saw an impressive expansion in postgraduate study with students enrolled with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) for PhD, MPhil and Professional Doctorates. The College maintained its links with the University of Cambridge’s Diploma for Theology and Ministry for its only undergraduate course.
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Number of Wesley House students on Federation Courses ​
Residential Non-residential
2014/15 0 16
2015/16 2 6
2016/17 2 6
2017/18 5 12
2018/19 7 13
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Students came from around the world (DRC, Fiji, Hong Kong, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, UK, USA, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) and included full time doctoral students supported by the British Methodist Church’s Leadership fund. The College's academic partnerships with ARU, Durham University, the University of Cambridge and the Cambridge Theological Federation created a rich interdisciplinary and intercultural environment.
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In 2015 Wesley House launched the Holiness journal, an open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal exploring themes in Wesleyan theology and practice. The journal has attracted contributions from scholars across the globe, with themed issues covering topics such as global Methodism, liturgy, ethics, and the Methodist theological tradition. It served as both a platform for academic engagement and a public-facing expression of the College’s theological vision.
Wesley House deepened its impact beyond traditional academic programmes by offering professional development courses in Reflective Pastoral Supervision (RPS), adding to the College’s growing reputation for accessible, context-aware theological training. In 2016 the Principal trained twelve District Chairs, in a process that led to her being appointed part time as the Connexional Director of Supervision for three years to roll out RPS across the Methodist Church in Britain. By 2019 Wesley House had trained members of the Methodist, United Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, and United Reformed Churches.
The College launched a programme of online courses in 2018, expanding its reach overnight for short courses, both for those receiving and those delivering them. This embracing of new technology would prove to be pivotal in the 2020s.
"We have a story to tell and we want to tell it: of a place of global encounter, of critical theological engagement, of radical hospitality."
Jane Leach, Principal’s Report 2017
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Institutional Capacity and Leadership
Rapid academic expansion brought opportunities and challenges. With a small core team, the College relied on strong partnerships and visiting scholars to support delivery. Trustees monitored staffing levels and wellbeing, ensuring strategic hires and sabbatical time were prioritised.
Wesley House formalised its role as a GBHEM LEAD Hub, launching a Global Wesleyan Scholars Network. In 2019, it hosted a Global Scholars’ Retreat and welcomed sabbatical scholars from Sierra Leone, South Africa, India and the US.
In 2019 organised its activities into three strategic centres:
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A Centre for Leadership, aimed at ministerial development and developing reflective practitioners for church and society.
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A Centre for Faith and Public Life, exploring the intersection of theology, ethics, and social engagement.
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A Centre for Global Wesleyan Theology, focused on intercultural theological dialogue within the worldwide Methodist family.
These centres were intended to shape the College’s future work in research, teaching, and public engagement, building on its established global partnerships and expanding its vocational impact.
"We are beginning to reimagine the purpose of our life together and what it might mean to be a global Methodist community of prayer and study."
Jane Leach, Principal’s Report 2018
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Finance, Fundraising and Governance
The building project had not been an entirely happy experience and various legal complexities and negotiations meant that the level of reserves left at the end of the project was significantly lower than had been expected. Trustees maintained strong financial oversight following the redevelopment carefully considering cashflow management, the use of reserves and planning for long-term financial sustainability.
A new phase of strategic fundraising was launched. Regular giving from Friends and Alumni, legacy giving, and income from spare bedrooms and conferencing supported the College’s broadening vision. Trustees maintained an active consideration of income diversification to ensure academic provision remained resilient in uncertain financial climates.
“We are deeply grateful to our alumni and Friends who are responding generously to our appeal, and whose gifts are helping to shape a sustainable future.”
Jane Leach, Principal’s Report, 2017
Governance also evolved, with fresh appointments to the Trustee Board and engagement with the Global Advisory Board. Trustees regularly engaged with long-term visioning and growth strategies.
In addition to maintaining its own financial stability, Wesley House worked closely with the Cambridge Theological Federation to implement a new shared cost model and business plan. This secured core academic and administrative services for the long term.
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A College in Prayer and Transition
At the heart of the community was a shared rhythm of worship, conversation, and learning. The chapel and shared table shaped the daily life of Wesley House, forming students for ministry, scholarship, and global service.
“At the heart of the College is a rhythm of prayer, of eating together, of study and of rest. These are the values that shape our hospitality and our community.”
Jane Leach, Principal’s Report 2018
These years were not only about growth — they were about identity. Wesley House moved from being a project site to a place of community formation, global encounter, and theological depth.